Dubai eyes stronger business, investment ties with Egypt

Competitive advantage: Dubai’s reputation as a wealth generator and investment stronghold continues to drive the city’s growth. (Reuters)
Updated 23 July 2018
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Dubai eyes stronger business, investment ties with Egypt

  • Dubai’s global reputation as a wealth generator and investment stronghold continues to drive the city’s growth and was a matter of interest to the visiting Egyptian delegates

Dubai has moved to further strengthen the emirate’s business and investment ties with Egypt, following meetings with a high-level Egyptian delegation.

During the discussions held in Dubai, Dubai FDI and Egyptian delegates from the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones appraised the many foreign investments coming into the city as a result of the government’s intensive efforts to create a business-friendly environment.
Dubai FDI (the investment agency of the Dubai Economic Development Department) also took the opportunity to explain its mandate and role in creating a business-appropriate landscape to attract international companies and help stimulate capital growth.
Khalid Al-Boom, Deputy CEO of Dubai FDI, who welcomed the Egyptian officials, said that Dubai and Egypt’s joint efforts and deepening relations constitute a significant boost to the government’s initiative to make Dubai one of the most sustainable and competitive business hubs in the world. Al-Boom also said that the visit would further reinforce government-to-government ties and promote sharing of knowledge of expertise.
He noted that the current favorable business environment would further push a new phase of economic and investment cooperation between the two countries to help realize their growth and development goals.
“We at Dubai FDI are fully committed to continue on the path toward success and optimize Dubai’s transformation and potential to make the emirate’s one of the most stable economies in the Middle East and the world,” he concluded. The Egyptian delegates were introduced to local business, government, and legislative processes and procedures. Dubai FDI officials also discussed promising business opportunities and key services that benefit foreign companies operating in the emirate.
The Dubai Government has rolled out a comprehensive program to help foreign companies interested in starting their business in the city. The visiting delegation toured the Dubai Multi Commodities Center and the Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority, during which they were informed about the institutions’ best practices, development strategies, main service offerings, and major investment opportunities.
Dubai’s global reputation as a wealth generator and investment stronghold continues to drive the city’s growth and was a matter of interest to the visiting Egyptian delegates. They were informed that though Dubai moved away from traditional trading and looked to its natural resources for sustenance in the latter half of the 20th century, revenue from oil was soon complemented and later almost replaced with a knowledge-based and services driven economy.
The innovative businesses which establish themselves in Dubai are supported by the Emirate’s ambition to drive technology, pioneer new innovation and foster thought leadership.
Trade, logistics, financial services, hospitality and tourism, real estate, construction and manufacturing now make up more than 90 percent of business activity in the Emirate.
This diversification, along with Dubai’s strategic location, infrastructure and ease of business philosophy, make it a popular choice for local and international organizations to begin operations and expand into the Middle East.


Acwa signs key terms to develop 5GW of renewable energy capacity in Turkiye

Updated 23 February 2026
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Acwa signs key terms to develop 5GW of renewable energy capacity in Turkiye

JEDDAH: Saudi utility giant Acwa has signed key investment agreements with Turkiye’s Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources to develop up to 5 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity, starting with 2GW of solar power across two plants in Sivas and Taseli.

Under the investment agreement, Acwa will develop, finance, and construct, as well as commission and operate both facilities, according to a press release.

The program builds on the company’s first investment in Turkiye, the 927-megawatt Kirikkale Independent Power Plant, valued at $930 million, which offsets approximately 1.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, the statement added.

A separate power purchase agreement has been concluded with Elektrik Uretim Anonim Sirketi for the sale of electricity generated by each facility.

Turkiye aims to boost solar and wind capacity to 120GW by 2035, supported by around $80 billion in investment, while recent projects have already helped prevent 12.5 million tonnes of CO2 emissions and reduced reliance on imported natural gas.

Turkiye’s energy sector has undergone a rapid transformation in recent years, with renewable power emerging as a central pillar of its strategy.

Raad Al-Saady, vice chairman and managing director of ACWA, said: “The signing of the IA (implementation agreement) and PPA key terms marks a pivotal moment in Acwa’s partnership with Turkiye, reflecting the country’s strong potential as a clean energy leader and manufacturing powerhouse.”

He added: “Building on our long-standing presence, including the 927MW Kirikkale Power Plant commissioned in 2017, this step elevates our partnership to a new level,” Al-Saady said.

In its statement, Acwa said the 5GW renewable energy program will deliver electricity at fixed prices, enhancing predictability for grid planning and supporting long-term industrial investment.

By replacing imported fossil fuels with domestically generated clean energy, the initiative is expected to reduce Turkiye’s exposure to global energy market volatility, strengthening energy security and lowering long-term power costs.

The company added that the economic impact will extend beyond the anticipated investment of up to $5 billion in foreign direct investment, with thousands of jobs expected during the construction phase and hundreds of high-skilled roles created during operations.

The energy firm concluded that its existing progress in Turkiye reflects a strong appreciation for Turkish engineering, construction, and manufacturing capacity, adding that localization has been a strategic priority, and it has already achieved 100 percent local employment at its developments in the country.